“Happy New Year!” I snuck one last trip into 2022, and just in time to celebrate the New Year on the sea, thanks to my sister!

This New Year’s cruise trip was my first time traveling outside of the United States — and my first non-work trip of 2022 — so it was nice to truly relax and explore. This was also my first solo travel experience. Here is a bit of what I learned about solo travel from my cruise trip to Cozumel, Mexico and Progreso Yucatan, Mexico.

Cozumel, Mexico

1. Pay what? attention.

When I ask someone why they are put off by solo travel, the typical answer is fear — a safety concern. But we go places alone all the time! We often doubt what we can really handle. Recognize that the anxiety thought, “But what if something goes wrong?” is common and valid, but don’t let it stop you!

Just pay attention to your surroundings and make careful decisions. There is so much beauty in this life. Go out and see it for yourself!

2. “You-ber”

AKA — a fun thing called walking! If you are able. Besides the 45-minute drive to and from the airport, I saved money walking to a restaurant, the beach, and around Galveston, TX the day before the cruise. I got my steps in and gave my pocketbook a break — a win-win.

Since it was the winter, I was missing walks outside back in Kansas. I loved having nicer weather to enjoy in my birth state of Texas! Normally, the folks I travel with tend to opt out of walking and pay for transportation instead. This is another perk of solo travel: getting to do whatever you want.

3. Catch Up — On Nothing

Another great thing about traveling alone is doing absolutely nothing. Well, not “nothing,” but all of those little things you can’t enjoy when making sure everyone in your travel group is entertained. I read 50 pages of a book I hadn’t picked up in months. I journaled in Puerta Maya while listening to a mariachi band. I drank 2 margaritas and ate the best chips and guacamole of my life.

By doing “nothing,” I was able to focus on my senses and surroundings: the music of xylophones, the vivid blue of the sky, the sun on my skin. It felt amazing to have time and a peaceful getaway to allow myself those moments since work and grad school doesn’t allow for relaxation.

In the New Year, I am making it a priority for more moments of “nothing,” or “quieting the mind.” For people with packed schedules, a cruise is a perfect vacation because it forces you to be still, relax, and enjoy the now.

Progreso Yucatan, Mexico

4. UNPLUG & Unwind

I was without phone service for 5 days! So my iPhone was more so a camera to document my travels. Depending on the person, you might not enjoy fully unplugging, but I found living like smart phones didn’t exist paired with solo travel freeing.

I explored the Cozumel and Progreso ports focused on taking in the beauty for myself in the present moment and captured photos and videos for later. I could stop and chat with more people than I probably would have if I had access to texting. We are all so connected through technology and social media to a point where it often has the opposite effect. This can also make us feel disconnected from ourselves and experiences that should ground us, like traveling.

Traveling solo paired with fully unplugging let me feel the adventure, gratitude, and peace to the fullest, and experience I wouldn’t trade for phone service to share “live.” Instead of sharing live, I lived!

5. Starting Small Is Ok!

Going on a cruise was a manageable first solo travel experience because when you port you only have a select number of hours on land. If you’re timid about solo travel, a cruise is a great first step. Then you can be more adventurous in the future with a positive solo travel success under your belt.

“For people with packed schedules, a cruise is a perfect vacation to take because it forces you to be still, relax, and enjoy the now.”

What a way to bring in the New Year! I am so thankful to have these memories with my sister as New Year’s Eve was always a big holiday in our house growing up. Our mother battled breast cancer for most of our lives so, looking back, I realize that each year was a celebration our mother was still with us.

Standing on our own, but never alone, I am so proud of all that my sister and I have accomplished. This was her first contract as a cruise ship performer, and I have 2 more semesters of grad school before earning my Master’s Degree in Library & Info Science. Here’s to more creating, traveling, and growing in 2023!